Gems Of Buddhist Wisdom

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THE PURPOSE OF LIFE

By Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dnammananda

meee hat is the purpose of Life? This is a very
common question that people always ask. It is

we) not easy to give a satisfactory answer to this
apparently simple and yet complex question. Although
some people have given certain answers according to
their way of thinking, it seems that they are not very
satisfactory answers to the intellectuals. The reason is
that they have not learned to see life objectively and to
understand the proper perspective of life. They have
created imaginations about life through their limited
understanding. At the same time we understand that many
religious teachers, great philosophers, well-known poets
and great thinkers are also not satisfied about the
nature of life. Some have said that life is full of suffering;
uncertainty and unsatisfactoriness. Some have said: “How
nice if we had not been born.” Some others have asked:

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“Why were we born to this world to suffer for nothing?”

According to their sayings we can understand
that they are the people who have learned to see life
objectively, as it really is. But the ordinary man always
sees life as it appears superficially, not as it really is. “Life
is not that we think ‘life’ but what we think becomes life.”
This is another saying of a great thinker.

Some people say that there 1s no specific purpose
in life; yet it can be utilized for any purpose. There is
something in this saying for us to ponder wisely: to make
use of life for purposes beneficial to ourselves and to
humanity instead of wasting it foolishly. In this manner,
the purpose of life can be said to be dependent on the
way we handle and use it. If we misuse it by violating our
good humane qualities, by abusing our human dignity
and committing wrongful actions by giving way to our
weakness, it is impossible for us to achieve something
worthwhile and noble as the purpose of our life. But, if
we act wisely and mindfully by observing universally
accepted moral and ethical principles, exercise patience,
tolerance, sympathy, humility and kindness, create
understanding and render selfless service, and train
the mind tu gain wisdom we should be able to achieve
something noble and beneficial to all as the purpose of
our life. Those who cultivate such virtues would
experience peace, happiness, calm, satisfaction and
tranquility. Life would then be worthwhile — it would be
a pleasure to live!

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Nature of Life

“Life wastes itself while we are preparing to live,” says
one learned man. “Sickness, old age, and miseries are
the payment we are making for occupying this body as
a house,” says another learned man. “We have to pay the
price of fear and worry in order to live as human beings.”
This is yet another saying of a religious man. When we
consider all these views, we can find out the nature of
life and judge if there is any purpose in life.

If we are going to please only our senses as the
purpose of our life, then, we must be prepared to face
various problems arising from that as no one can enjoy
pleasure without facing problems.

Although scientists have discovered wonderful
things in this universe yet they too do not know the
purpose of life.

In regard to the behaviour of man, one scholar has
said: “Man is not what he is, man is what he is not.”
According to him, man does not behave as a real ‘Man’.
According to Buddhism, Man is not a fixed substantive
entity but an expression, existing literally only from
moment to moment on the basis of energy. Another
scholar has said: “There is no cure for birth and death,
save to enjoy the interval.”

We cannot understand the real nature of life due
to our ignorance and strong craving. That is why we are
here to suffer. That is why it is difficult for us to find out
whether there is any specific purpose in life, in this world,
and in this form.

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Life has been described as a combination of mind
and matter. As a result of this combination a being comes
into existence and it goes on changing until dissolution
takes place. However, departed mental energy again
combined with elements or matter reappears in various
forms and in different spheres as life in accordance with
the nature of one’s previous life. This continuity of the
life-stream goes on again and again as long as the Karmic
energy and craving for existence remains.

The Five Aggregates
In accordance with the Dhamma, life is comprised of
five aggregates. They are: Rupa - matter, Vedana -
feeling, Sanna — perception, Sankhara — mental forma-
tions and Vinnana — consciousness. Four kinds of
elements such as solidity, fluidity, heat and motion
comprise matter. Matter plus the four mental factors
classified above as feeling, perception, mental formation
and consciousness combined together form life. The
real nature of these five aggregates is explained in the
Teaching of the Buddha as follows: Matter is equated to
a heap of foam, feeling is like a bubble, perception is
described as a mirage, mental formations are like a banana
tree and consciousness is just an illusion. With such an
analysis of life, it is difficult to ascertain the reality or
purpose of life as constituted.

This analysis of life posed a big challenge to many
philosophies and religious beliefs at that time.

There is no such thing as permanent life that exists

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without changing and without dissolution.

Body is nothing but an abstract generalization
for a constantly changing combination of chemical
constituents. Man begins to see his own life as a drop in
an ever-flowing river and is glad to contribute his part to
the great stream of life.

A World of Waves

The scientific analysis of the universe shows
that the world is nothing but unbroken continuity of
movement. Dr. Einstein said: ‘All matter is made of waves
and we live in a world of waves.’

“We are part of the same waves.
If a man can be aware:

of the states of his body,

of his feelings,

of the states of his mind and

of the states of mental objects,

such an awareness will lead him to find out whether there
is any purpose in life.”

Change Yourself

Can you achieve perfection by changing the world? Never.
Only you will be able to feel your vanity and placate your
egoism. You will be bound to the wheel of Samsara. But
by changing yourself, by realizing the nature of self
through self-denial, self-discipline and self-exertion, you

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can achieve perfection. By achieving such perfection,
you will be rendering the greatest service to humanity.
People will be inspired by your example and they too will
follow you and achieve life’s goal.

Man today is the result of millions of his past
thoughts and actions. He is not ready made; he becomes
and continues becoming. His character is determined by
his own thinking. Man is not perfect by nature; he has
to train himself to be perfect.

Life does not belong to human beings alone. Many
other forms of life exist in this universe. However,
human beings have greater thinking and reasoning power.
In that respect they are superior to other living beings
since they have the intelligence to cultivate their way of
life in order to get rid of their worldly sufferings. Hence,
if the purpose of life is just to get rid of sufferings then
human beings can achieve that end through their own
effort. But life will be a failure if it is not used properly.

The Buddha stressed on human dignity and
discoursed on the value of being human. He painted the
most perfect picture of a human being, striving and
struggling from life to life in his quest for perfection.

Life is a unique experience. There is nothing with
which to compare it, no measure of its value in terms of
some other things, and money cannot buy it. Yet many
have not learned what to do with this ‘priceless pearl’.
Here life does not mean the mere physical body or senses
but the intelligent human mind.

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Four Types of Men
The Buddha has classified all mankind into four groups.
e Those who work for their own good, but not for the
good of others;
e those who work for the good of others, but not for
their own good;
e those who work neither for their own good nor for
the good of others;
e and those who work for their own good as well as
for the good of others.

And who is the person who works for his own good,
but not for the good of others? It is he who strives for
the abolition of greed, hatred and delusion in himself, but
he does not encourage others to abolish greed, hatred
and delusion and also does not do anything for the welfare
of others.

And who is the person who works for the good of
others, but not for his own good? It is he who encourages
others to abolish human weaknesses and do some
service to them, but does not strive for the abolition of
his own weaknesses.

And who is the person who does not work for his
own good nor for the good of others? It is he who neither
strives for the abolition of his own weaknesses, nor does
he encourage others to abolish others weaknesses nor
does he do some service to others.

And who is the person who works for his own good
as well as for the good of others? It is he who strives for
the abolition of evil thoughts from the mind and at the

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same time help others to be good.

Life is Suffering

If we contemplate deeply we have to agree with the
concept that life is suffering. Every moment we are
suffering, either physically or mentally. Can we find a
single person in this world who is free from physical and
mental pain? It is difficult. Even those who have attained
sainthood are not free from physical pain so long as they
sustain their physical bodies.

If anybody asked, “What is the most uncertain thing
in this world?” — the correct answer would be “Life is
the most uncertain thing.” Everything that we do in this
world is to escape from suffering and death. If we neglect
this life for even one second, that is more than enough
for us to lose it. Most of our daily routine such as
working, eating, drinking, taking medicine, sleeping and
walking are ways and means adopted by us to avoid
suffering and death. Although we occasionally
experience some momentary worldly pleasure in
satisfying our desires, the very next moment the thing
that gave us pleasure might cause suffering. Therefore,
the noble treasure of peace and happiness need not be
in a rich man’s hand but in the man who has renounced
worldly things.

Everything pertaining to our life is subject to change
and unsatisfactoriness. That is why the Buddha has
explained that as long as there is craving for worldly
pleasure or desire for existence there is no escape from

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physical and mental suffering. Desire is important
for existence. When existence takes place suffering is
unavoidable.

Many contemplate seeking eternal life, and yet,
ironically, many seekers of immortality find life so boring
that they do not even know how to pass the day!
According to the Buddha, this craving for immortality is
one of the causes for selfish ideas and fear of death.

“It is easy enough to be pleasant
When life flows along like a song
But the man worthwhile

Is the man who can smile

When life goes dead wrong.”

This little happiness is secured amidst many
disappointments, failures and defeats. Man cannot find
a life where there are no disturbances, problems,
calamities, unsatisfactoriness, frustrations, fear,
insecurity, loss, misfortunes, blame, sicknesses, old age
and thousands of other uncongenial situations. Every
day and night man is struggling to get rid of these
unfortunate situations. The more he struggles to escape
from this unhappy state of affairs in a worldly way, the
more he entangles himself with some other problems.
When he managed to get rid of one problem,
intentionally or unintentionally he would have created for
himself some other problems. Where then is the end of
these problems? For our own survival, we have to accept

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such difficulties and sufferings without complaining as
there is no other alternative. Suffering wili always be
there! Yet suffering and unhappiness are not by any means
inevitable. Suffering, says the Buddha, is a disease and
it can therefore be cured completely when perfection is
attained.

Lao Tze, a well-known Chinese religious teacher,
said: “I have suffered because I have a body. If I had no
physical body how can I suffer?”

When you look at how people suffer in this world,
you can see the real situation of this worldly life. Why
should they suffer in this way? And who is responsible
for these sufferings? According to the Buddha each and
every person is responsible for his own suffering.
People are suffering here today because of their strong
craving for existence. This is the main cause of suffering.
It has taken more than 2500 years for many philosophers
and psychologists to understand that what the Buddha
had said is true. A poet says:-

“To the fire flies the moth

Knows not she will die.

Little fish bites in the hook.

Knows not of the danger.

But though knowing well the danger
Of these evil worldly pleasures,

We still cling to them so firmly.

Oh how great is our folly!”

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Fleeting Nature of Life

Buddhism points out that the duration of our life span is
very short and we should work mindfully, vigilantly and
heedfully for our salvation.

“People can never really understand
That we are here but for a little spell.
But they who grasp this truth indeed
Suffer all strife and quarrels to abate.”

This is how Davis, a poet looks at the fleeting life.

“What is this life, so full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?

No time to stand beneath boughs
And stare as long as sheep and cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.”

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A Battlefield

The whole universe is a vast battlefield. Existence is
nothing but a vain struggle, elements against elements,
energies against energies, men against men, women
against women, men against animals, animals against
men, men against nature, nature against men, and within
the physical system itself it is a big battlefield. The mind
itself is the biggest battlefield.

The man who is not at peace with himself cannot
be at peace with the world, and external wars have to
continue in order to hide the fact from individuals that
the real war is within. The most important prayer of
mankind today is for peace, but there can be no peace
in this war-torn world until the conflicts of man with
himself are ended.

In the eyes of the Buddha living beings tremble
like fish in a stream that is almost dry, being in the grip
of craving, either leaping hither and thither, like hares
caught in a snare or lost like arrows shot at night. He saw
the struggle of all against all, the senseless series of
depredations, in which one feeds upon another, only in
turn to be fed upon by others. War is created by the
human mind and the same human mind can create peace
with justice if man uses his unbiased mind.

World history tells us that racial discrimination,
colour bar, religious fanaticism and greed for political
power and wealth have created enormous miseries and
disasters in this world and have taken a heavy toll of lives
in a cruel way. These things have never contributed

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anything towards development of the world. People who
are thirsty for power and wealth and intoxicated with
jealousy always create trouble and often try to justify
their cruel acts by talking nonsense in the name of peace
and justice. We are living in a world which is physically
united but mentally divided and at the same time
mentally united but physically divided.

“We live and work and dream,
Each has his little scheme,
Sometimes we laugh;
Sometimes we cry.

And thus the days go by.”

A Lot of Fuss
We toil and slave to maintain our body. We commit untold
evils to satisfy the needs and cravings of our body.
We sought fame and publicity to meet the ego that is
inherent in us. We do a thousand and one things to uphold
the so-called prestige, and yet, when death comes, decay
sets in and to the grave or crematorium we go - our body
is no more.

In life we created a lot of fuss over our body. We
do it in death as well. Khantipalo’s poetical description
of the undue fuss created by us is as follows:-

“A lot of fuss
A lot of people
A lot of time

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A lot of trouble

A lot of tears

A lot of money —-

And all for what?

A little body!

A blob of proteins

Fast unwinding,

A little corpse

Quick decaying.

No longer is it

Dear Father, mother

Or any darling other.

In spite of this

We must have

Consolations and coffins
Processions and Tombstones
Parties and mourning

Rites and rituals

Buried or burnt

Embalmed for ever,

All for these little

Bloated bodies.

Sons remember,

Grandsons little,

And after them

Are the dead forgotten,
Stones and bones alone remaining.
So is this not

A lot of nonsense?”

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Spiritual Values

Julian Huxley says: Life should lead to the fulfilment of
innumerable possibilities — physical, mental, spiritual and
so forth — that man is capable of. And humanity is capable
of greater and nobler things.

You are born into this world to do some good and
not to pass your time in idleness. If you are indolent, then
you are a burden to this world. You must always think
of rising higher in goodness and wisdom. You will be
abusing the privileges of becoming a human being if you
do not prove yourself worthy of the cause for which
your merit has given you this place. To waste a man’s
existence in grieving over the past in idleness and
heedlessness is to show his unfitness in this world. The
tree of civilization has its roots in spiritual values which
most of us have not realized. Without these roots the
leaves would have fallen and the tree left a lifeless stump.

“Tf all the mountains were books and if all the lakes
were ink and if all the trees were pens, still they would
not suffice to depict all the misery in this world.” (Glacob
Boehme)

That is why enlightened religious teachers like
the Buddha after having seen this life in its proper
perspective without any selfish or egoistic motives,
explained that there is no real purpose of this life, if we
allow this life to go round and round within this cycle of
birth and death, while suffering physically and mentally.
But we can make use of this life for a better purpose by
being of service to others, by cultivating morality, by

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training the mind and living as cultured men in peace and
harmony with the rest of the world. According to
the Buddha human beings are not puppets devoid of
responsibilities. Man is the highest fruit of the tree of
evolution. Our ancient philosophy, however, expresses
the purpose of life in this way: “Leading from darkness
to light, from untruth to truth and from death to
deathlessness.” These simple yet meaningful words give
us food for thought.

Death and Immortality

All the questions man asks about his life are related to
the reality of death; he differs from all other creatures,
it would seem, in being aware of his own death and in
never being fully reconciled to sharing the natural fate
of all living organisms. If only man can understand that
life is short and that death is inevitable, he can solve
many problems pertaining to life. In his resistance of
death, man has achieved some prolongation of life which
may be equated to a child playing at the sea-side,
working desperately to build up his sand-castle before
the next wave breaks over it. Man has often made death
the centre of religious objects, invoking heavenly
blessing for the gaining of everlasting life.

Death happens to all living beings, but man alone
has created, out of the constant threat of death, a will
to endure. And out of the desire for continuity and
immortality in all their conceivable forms, man has
created religion, which in its turn, has attempted to give

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a more meaningful end to life.

Although the followers of many religions believe in
the existence of heavenly abode where life would be one
of perpetual bliss, we have yet to hear that the devout
followers of any particular religion were at all keen to
give up their earthly existence and things that they
possess to be in heaven today itself. Similarly even
Buddhists would prefer to cling on to their precious earthly
existence as long as they survive, although they realize
that life in this world is nothing but suffering, and that
the ultimate bliss is Nibbana. Yet, how many are there
to attain Nibbana by giving up craving?

The highest problem facing many countries today
is the problem of population explosion. Ways and means
have to be found to curb this perpetual swelling of this
stream of life. These millions need food, shelter, comfort
and security. To these people the question is not “what
is the purpose of life” but “what to do with life”. The
simple answer is that one should make the best use of
life and find whatever happiness that one can grasp in a
practical and righteous manner rather than worrying
unduly on the metaphysical proposition of the mystical
purpose of life. However, religion steps in to console man
or rather awaken him to the fact that life is not dreary
and hopeless as it is viewed from the physical body-basis
alone. There is a hope for a better life.

All the progress in this world made by man, is due
to the fact that he realizes that he is mortal and that he
would like to leave his influence behind after he is gone.

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]f man were to achieve immortality and his days on earth
would be endless, he would be inclined to take things
easy and lose all incentive or initiative to be progressive;
there would be no desire for him to make the world a
little better place than he found it. If there was no
death, life would become stagnant, monotonous and
unspeakably burdensome and boring. If man were to be
given the insight to realize and know the time of his
death, he would definitely act differently from what he
is doing presently.

“Man’s Body Turns To Dust,
But His Influence Persists” - (Buddha)
Even though our ancestors are dead and gone, we can
assume that they still exist with us not physically but
through the influence created by them from generation
to generation — the influence persists. By the term
‘ancestors’ we refer not only to our progenitors but also
to all those who had contributed for the welfare and
happiness of others. In this sense, we can say that the
heroes, sages and poets of days gone by, are still existing
amongst us — through their influence. As we link
ourselves to these martyrs and thinkers we come to share
the wisest thoughts, the noble ideals and even
fascinating music of the centuries.
The cry of a man’s heart for a purpose is the dim
Recognition of the nature of life. When a man feels his
divine or noble nature, he no longer cries for a purpose
of life, for he realizes that he is himself that very purpose.

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Thinking people have realized that the course of
human history is determined not by what happens in the
skies, but by what takes place in the mind of men.

The Buddha said that there is no other super-
natural living being higher than the perfect man.

Man can and must raise himself above limitation
of his individuality, following in the footsteps of the
Buddha.

Make the Best Use of Life

The important point about life is that we have it and
therefore we must make the best use of it. This indeed
is the greatest value of life, the opportunity of making the
best use of it. Many people lead narrow, limited, joyless
and depressed lives because they do not try to make the
best use of life. But this can be done by possessing and
obeying ideals. What then should be our ideals? They are
to cultivate humane qualities and to lead a happy and
peaceful life. This way of life can be regarded as a noble
righteous, cultured and religious life which is respected
by everybody. A man cannot lead a happy life without
making others happy.

Man must try to do his best and at the same time,
must, when confronted by opposition, or rewarded by
partial success, say to himself “I have done my best”, and
even when the battle is deemed to be lost, he would
remember that the path of salvation lies not in the victory
but in the acceptance of the battle.

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“The fruit tree’s heavy-laden bough
The river’s load of fertile soil

The richly flowing milk of cows

The good man’s unremitting toil;

This wealth is meant, this work is done,
For other’s good, not for their own.”

Thus, in essential, is the modern doctrine of
Social Service, which also may be said to be the ethical
foundation of all the great religions.

Nibbana
“If any teach Nirvana is to cease
Say unto such they lie,
If any teach Nirvana is to live,
Say unto such they err.”

(Sir Edwin Arnold in The Light of Asta)

The foregoing definition of life should be sufficient
for anyone to understand the concept of attainment of
Nibbana where such physical and mental pain exists no
more, as Nibbana denotes the end of the suffering. The
aim of our whole life is to cut off and minimize suffering
and to seek happiness. If we really like to have ever-
lasting happiness - the happiness that we experience when
our minds are completely free from all disturbances, we
must learn how to gain it. By gaining more wealth, power
and other worldly conditions, we can never gain

THE PURPOSE OF LIFE 233

real satisfaction, contentment, peace of mind and
unchangeable happiness - which is termed ‘calming the
senses and cooling our burning defilements in the mind.’
It has to be remembered that no one is forcing us
to take any particular line of action. There is nobody to
punish us or to reward us. It is our own free will and
choice. If you think that you can tolerate all the physical
and mental pains and sufferings, you can remain within
the cycle of birth and death and go on crying, lamenting,
suffering, cursing, grumbling, fighting, worrying, and
struggling for survival, working like slaves every day and
night, confronting enormous problems and hindrances.
In fact during our whole lifetime we are spending our
time, energy and mind in a battlefield - fighting for
survival, fighting for power, gain, name, pleasure and
fighting to be free from various dangerous things.
Occasionally we gain a little bit of momentary pleasure
as an interlude. Every pleasure ends with suffering.
Look at the world, and you can see how people are
fighting against each other, killing, burning, bombing,
kidnapping, hijacking, and attacking one another.
Destroying their fellow human beings has become a
hobby or a fun. The whole world is like a mad house.
People have forgotten their good human character and
have allowed evil thoughts, evil words, and evil deeds to
reign over them. Apparently there is no room in man's
mind to cultivate good thoughts and deeds. How then
can one find peace and happiness, in a battlefield in which
one is continually fighting either for gain or escape from

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some dangers? “Man’s inhuman attitude to man makes
countless thousands mourn”.

If you can understand the uncertainty of life
and danger of the world, then you can understand the
meaning of attaining Nibbana. You would not delay your
effort for the attainment of this blissful state. Today
you are fighting to escape from suffering through a
worldly mean. But it is a losing battle. There will be
disappointments. However, if you try to get rid of your
suffering by developing the spiritual aspect of your life,
then you can find real peace. That is Nibbana.

Worldly Pleasures

We know there are many in this world, even amongst
Buddhists, who are not prepared to work for the
attainment of Nibbana. For this reason, some have
described Nibbana as a paradise where people can enjoy
everlasting pleasures. Such a description will appeal to
those who have very poor understanding about their life
and worldly things and also to those who have very
strong craving and attachment to their life and worldly
pleasures. They cannot understand that such a concept
of Nibbana is but a dream. Nevertheless worldly people
always think and pray for this kind of Nibbana. On the
other hand there are people who think that it is better
to remain in this world inspite of all sorts of sufferings
in order to enjoy their life. They fail to understand that
due to their cravings and attachments which they have
developed, they are unable to appreciate the supreme

THE PURPOSE OF LIFE 235

bliss of Nibbana. The other worldly things which they
consider as happiness cannot relieve them of physical
and mental suffering.

According to the Buddha, it is due to ignorance
that people crave for existence within this Samsara —
cycle of birth and death - while enduring suffering and
running after a mirage in perpetual search for something
to please their senses. They should learn to calm their
senses instead of placating them by fleeting indulgence.

Endless World System

Some people think that if all of us attain Nibbana, this
world will be an empty place and there will not be
anybody to work for the progress of this world. This is
a shallow idea appearing in the minds of such people who
lack the real knowledge of existence.

They should understand that this world will never
become empty since very few wise people will be able to
attain Nibbana. As far as world systems are concerned,
there is no limit to them. And there is no such thing as
either the beginning or the end of world systems and
the universe. World systems will always appear and
disappear. When one world system disappears, many
others remain. Meanwhile the dispersed world systems
reappear due to combination of elements and energies.
Living beings also who have departed from other world
systems come into existence due to combination of
these elements, matters and energies and their mental
tendencies. One should not think that there are only a

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limited number of living beings who go round and round
in this universe. Living beings are unlimited and
infinite.

Progress and Pollution
Are we really working here for the progress of this world?
We think that we are working for the progress of this
world, but we are actually damaging this world. We have
discovered many gadgets to destroy this world. Nature
has produced so many things. To achieve our ends, we
are damaging this world by digging, cutting, levelling
and destroying the natural beauty of this earth. We are
polluting the atmosphere, the rivers and the seas. We are
destroying plant life as well as poor animal lives. We
never think that in every plant life there are some food
or medicinal values. And every living being contributes
something for the maintenance of the environment. We
should not assume that we human beings are the only
people who have the right to live on this earth. Each and
every living being has an equal right to live here. But we
deprive other beings of their privileges. Not only that,
even within our own human community, one race tries
to destroy the other race, hindering its progress and not
allowing others to live in peace. They declare wars and
start to slaughter one another in the name of patriotism.
As long as human beings with polluted minds exist
in this world there will be no peace on earth. It is due
to the existence of such living beings that this earth has
become a place of turmoil. Today we see blood-baths all

THE PURPOSE OF LIFE 237

over the world. Each person is planning to swindle
another person. Selfish ideas always prevail in their minds.
One man cannot trust another man. They view others
with suspicion in their hearts. One cannot understand
the real character or motive of another man. Although
man can escape from animals, it is difficult to escape
from another man.

Man is Responsible

People always talk about the uncertainty of the world
situation. Who is responsible for this unfortunate
situation? Is there anybody else other than the so-called
smart man? How can we expect a better and peaceful
world if men behave worse than animals? How can we
enjoy our life in this unreliable world? Scientists seek to
conquer nature for material ends. Eastern philosophy
aspires to live in harmony with nature for peace of mind
and spiritual achievement. You cannot change the worldly
conditions according to your wishes but you can change
your mind to develop contentment to find happiness. A
man who is absorbed in seeking only worldly satisfaction
will never reach higher knowledge, for it cannot be found
without strenuous search. Materialism degrades man to
the brute state while religion elevates man into the divine
or noble state. In a materialistic regime men become
slaves to their senses. Naturally most people dislike to
see the true facts of life. They like to lull themselves into
security by day dreaming, imagination and taking the
shadow for the substance. The Buddha’s attitude to

238 GEMS OF BUDDHIST WISDOM

worldly powers and sensual pleasures is this: “Better than
absolute sovereignty over the earth, better than going to
heaven, better than even lordship over the worlds, is the
fruit of a stream-winner — the first stage of perfection.’
By spending his life only for the material worldly progress
to feed desire it is impossible for man to see the end
of unsatisfactoriness of his life. According to the
Buddha this world is based on conflict, friction or
unsatisfactoriness. By realizing the real nature of the
worldly condition, the Buddha also said that he does not
praise the world since it is unsatisfactory and imperma-
nent. Again he says that the way to worldly gain is one
and that to final goal — Nibbana — is another.

The Man and His Honey

Here is a small parable for us to understand the nature
of life and worldly pleasure: A man had lost his way when
he was going through a thick forest covered with thorns
and rocks. Then he was confronted by a huge elephant
which started to chase him. He started to run for his life.
While he was running he saw a well and he thought that
this would be a good place for him to escape from the
elephant. But very unfortunately he saw a big poisonous
snake at the bottom of the well.

However, since there was no other way of escape
from the elephant he jumped into the well and managed
to get hold of a thick creeper that was growing on the
side wall of the well. While he was hanging on to the
creeper he saw two mice, a white one and a dark one.

THE PURPOSE OF LIFE 239

To his horror he saw that these two mice were slowly
cutting the creeper which he was holding on to. He also
found a beehive closeby from which occasional drops of
honey trickled down.

While facing his death in three ways in that
dangerous position he greedily started to taste the honey
drops. Seeing the pathetic situation of this poor man,
another kind person who happened to pass by, volun-
teered to give a helping hand to save his life. But this
greedy and foolish man refused to listen to him because
of the taste of the honey he was enjoying. The taste of
the honey had so intoxicated him that he preferred to
ignore the dangerous position he was facing.

Here in this parable, the thorny path of the forest
is equated to Samsara — the wheel of existence. The
thorny path of Samsara is a very uncertain and trouble-
some one. It is not so easy for a person to carry on his
life through the rough and thorny jungle of Samsara. The
elephant here represents death. Death always follows
us and makes us unhappy, our old age also creates
unhappiness and insecurity in our minds. The creeper is
our birth. Just as a creeper goes on growing and coiling
with other plants, so also our birth goes on accumulating,
holding, clinging to so many other things in this world.
The two mice represents the day and night. From the
very day that we were born in this world, the passage of
day and night goes on cutting and shortening our life
span. The drops of honey are the fleeting sensual worldly
pleasures which tempt man to remain in this

240 GEMS OF BUDDHIST WISDOM

impermanent and uncertain world. The kind man who
came to give his helping hand to show him the correct
path and to get rid of his dangerous situation is the
Buddha.

A man who thinks that it is better for him to remain
in this world to enjoy worldly life without trying to attain
Nibbana, is exactly like this man who refused to escape
from the dangerous situation of his life just to taste a little
bit of honey. The purpose of Life is to gain liberation from
physical and mental burden. =